Top 10 Best Dog Breeds for Families With Kids Revealed

A happy family with a group of some of the best family friendly dog breeds for growing families with children

Looking to add a new puppy to your family? Be sure to choose a family-friendly dog breed that gets along well with kids. Not all dog breeds are tolerant and patient with children. The best dog breeds for families are playful, obedient, loving, loyal, and affectionate.

The best dog breeds for families with kids thrive on human companionship, are eager to please, and happy to engage in family activities.

Avoid any dog breed known for its independence, stubbornness, or aloofness because such breeds may be aggressive, intolerant of small kids, and even predatory toward other animals.

10 of the Best Dog Breeds for Families and Kids, According to Experts

Here’s our list of safe dog breeds for families with kids:

1. Labrador Retriever

Quick Facts:

Size: Medium- to large-sized dog
Height: 21.5 to 24.5 inches
Weight: 55 to 80 pounds
Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, affectionate, intelligent, eager to please, athletic
Activity Level: High
Shedding Level: High
Hypoallergenic: No
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

America’s most popular dogs, the Labrador Retrievers are intelligent, loyal, and fun-loving dogs that make excellent family pets.

They are also highly adaptable, but require plenty of exercises and lots of mental stimulation. Labs also get along well with other canines.

2. Beagle

Quick Facts:

Size: medium-sized dogs
Height: 10 to 15 inches
Weight: 20 to 30 pounds
Temperament: Friendly, versatile, loving, curious, even-tempered
Activity Factor: Moderate
Shedding Level: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years

Beagles are medium-sized, handsome and low-maintenance hounds that get along well with children, cats, and other dogs.

The breed was developed to hunt hare in packs, so they enjoy companionship. They are playful dogs who are friendly with humans and other animals in the family. This makes them one of the best kid-friendly dog breeds out there.

3. Poodle

Poodle is another great choice for family friendly breed

Quick Facts:

Size: Comes in three different sizes:Toy, Miniature, & Standard
Height: Toy Poodle: Less than 10 inches tall; Miniature Poodle: 10 to 15 inches tall; Standard Poodle: 18 to 24 inches Tall
Weight: Toy poodle: 4 to 6 pounds; Miniature poodle:10 to 15 pounds; Standard Poodle: 50 to 70 pounds
Temperament: Active, outgoing, friendly, smart, kind, well-mannered
Activity Level: Moderate
Shedding: None, very little
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Lifespan: 10 to 18 years for Toy and Miniature poodles, and 12 to 15 years for Standard Poodles.

Originally developed as working dogs, the poodle breed is super intelligent, has tons of energy, and loves children. These dogs are well-mannered if well trained and exercised.

They are perfect for families and individuals with allergies because they are said to be a hypoallergenic breed.

4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles, perfect for families

Quick Facts:

Size: Small
Height: 12-13 inches
Weight: 13-18 pounds
Coat Color: Blenheim, Tricolor, Ruby, Black & Tan
Temperament: Gentle, Sweet, Jolly
Activity Level: Low to Moderate
Shedding: Medium
Hypoallergenic: No
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is ideal for anyone who wants a laid-back companion. However, these dogs also enjoy playtime and cuddling with their owners.

They make great family pets and are good with children and other animals.

5. Border Collie

Quick Facts:

Size: Medium-sized dogs
Average Height: 18 to 22 inches
Average Weight: 30 to 55 pounds
Temperament: Energetic, athletic, Intelligent, loving
Activity Level: High
Shedding: Seasonal
Hypoallergenic: No
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years

The Border Collie Dog is smart, quick to master commands, and keen to please the owner. These medium-sized herders are great choices for active families.

They require physical and mental exercise every day and love snuggling with their owners.

6. Irish Setter

Irish Setter, the ultimate family companion

Quick Facts:

Size: Medium-sized dogs
Average Height: 25 to 27 inches
Average Weight: 60 to 70 pounds
Temperament: Sweet, Sociable
Activity Levels: High
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Meet one of the smartest, friendliest, sweetest and most playful dogs out there. The irish setter is a beautiful creature with a long , smooth rust-colored coat.

These dogs love affection and playing with their owners. They get along well with kids, making them great choices for families with children.

7. Boxer

Boxer, a great choice for families with young children and other animals, especially when socialized

Quick Facts:

Size: Medium-sized
Height: 21-23 inches
Weight: 65-80 pounds
Personality: Active, energetic, playful, social
Activity Level: High
Shedding: Low-Moderate, low maintenance
Hypoallergenic: No
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

Boxers are loyal, alert, and fun-loving dogs. They are also protective, goofy and loving dogs that get along well with children and other members of the family.

Due to their athletic build, however, they could be quite overwhelming for small kids.

8. Bulldog

The laid-back Bulldog has a lovable personality

Quick Facts:

Size: Medium-sized dogs
Average Height: 14 to 15 inches
Average Weight: 40 to 50 pounds
Personality and Temperament : Friendly, sweet, protective, energetic
Activity Level: Low-Moderate
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Lifespan: 8-10 years

Another popular dog breed for kids is the Bulldog. This breed is also ideal for first time dog owners. These dogs are friendly and loving toward children and adults alike. They enjoy a laid-back lifestyle with high-energy outings.

However, they still need lots of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. They are not well suited to hot climates due to their short noses, which can cause them to overheat quickly.

9. Greyhound

Quick Facts:

Size: Large
Average Height: 27 to 30 inches
Average Weight: 60 to 70 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Gentle, independent, sweet-tempered, friendly, non-aggressive
Activity Level: Moderate-High, 60 minutes daily for full-grown dogs
Shedding: Moderate
Hypoallergenic: No
Lifespan: 10 to 13 years

The Greyhound is a gentle animal with a laid-back personality. These tall dogs love walks around the neighborhoods and playtime with other family members.

More independent than many other dog breeds, the Greyhound is happy to stay alone for some time.

10. Golden Retriever

The golden Retriever remains a popular choice among families

Quick Facts:

Height: 21-24 inches
Weight: 55-75 pounds
Personality: Friendly, Devoted
Activity Level: Moderate to High
Shedding: High
Hypoallergenic: No
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

The list of the best dog breeds for kids cannot be complete without mentioning the Golden Retriever. Golden retrievers are great choices for first time dog owners and experienced dog owners alike. Although they shed a lot, they are great with kids and other household pets. They are also easy to train because they are intelligent and eager to please.

Notable Mentions:

There's it! The Best breeds for families with children! If you need more options for the best dog breeds for kids, consider the following:

Basset Hound
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bichon Frise
Bull Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Brittany
Finnish Lapphund
German Short-haired Pointer
Hungarian Vizsla
Dachshund
Boston Terrier
German Shepherd
Poodle
Labradoodle (Labrador Poodle Mix)
Newfoundland Dog
Pug
Shih Tzu
Australian Shepherd
Shetland Sheepdog
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Swedish Vallhund
Tenterfield Terrier
Whippet

Conclusion

The best dogs for kids tend to be gentle, friendly, and reliable, making them great all-around canine companions for the whole family. The best family dog breeds also have a calm, even temperament.

However, it's not just about selecting the best dog breed for families with children but it also requires you to teach your kids how to interact with dogs in a kind and respectful manner to ensure a peaceful family.

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